The staggered elections, which take place until June 1, will see almost 970 million people, or more than 10% of the world’s population, choose 543 members to the lower house of Parliament for a five-year term.
Voting in a six-week election that is a referendum on Narendra Modi, the populist prime minister who is running for an uncommon third term as the nation’s leader and has championed an assertive brand of Hindu nationalist politics, has begun for millions of Indians.
Commencing on Friday, June 1st, and lasting five years, more than 970 million voters will choose 543 members of the lower house of Parliament through a series of staggered elections.
On June 4, the votes will be tallied.
The election is anticipated to be among the most significant in India’s history and will put Modi’s hold on power to the test.
After Jawaharlal Nehru, the nation’s first prime minister, Modi would be the only other Indian politician to hold the position for three terms.
With the Indian National Congress and other strong regional parties leading a large opposition alliance, most polls indicate that Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party will prevail.
If the opposition alliance known as INDIA prevails in the election, it is unclear who will take the helm of India. Its twenty-plus political parties have declined to nominate a candidate, stating they will make that decision once the results are in.
SOURCE: TRTWORLD
